Early in Senator Kennedy’s political career, he championed the cause of Irish reunification.

However, he ultimately supported the Good Friday Agreement which recognised the political legitimacy of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom, gave unionist voters in the north a veto over the issue of reunification, and required Ireland to relinquish its constitutional claim over the six northern counties.

In addition, Senator Kennedy accepted an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth for which he was quoted as being “deeply grateful to Her Majesty the Queen and to Prime Minister Brown for this extraordinary honour”.